Improved composition of glue os gelatine and other materials, called durogel



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HENRY WURTZ, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

Letters PatentlVo. 60,984, dated January 1, 1867.

IMPROVED COMPOSITION OF GLUE OR GELATINE-AND OTHER MATERIALS, CALLEDDUROGEL.

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TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I,I'IENRY VVURTZ, of the city and county of New York,and State of New York, have invented or discovered a new and usefulcompound, which I designate'as Durogel, composed of ordinary glue orgelatine and-bichromate of potash, or other compound of chromic acidwith the glue. This article may be employed in melting buttons, handlesof knives, glazing lanterns, and the various uses in which ivory, bone,horn, gutta percha, &c., &c., are employed.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use the durogel, I wouldin general terms describe the mode or course of procedure in. itsmanufacture. There may be slight changes, which will readily suggestthemselves to the mind of an intelligent operator.

A strong solution in boiling water of common glue is made; say twohundred and'fifty parts of glue to five parts of biohromate of potashareheatedtogether, (the bichromate being in a concentrated solution.)Little immediate change is noticeable, except the production of anamber-colored solution,- but on cooling and gelatinizing, and this fullydried and exposed to the air and light, it is found to have undergone aprofound alteration, being con verted into a substance like bone, horn,or ivory. If the application of heat is continued for some time, itloses its fluidity to some'eX tent, and becomes ropy and glutinous.Previous to the addition of the bichromate the solution of glue may becolored by the addition to it of pigments, either transparent in theirproperties, as roseline and aniline for a beautiful red, verdi'gris foragreen, rouge for a red-brown, &c., &c.; or solid and opaque colors, aslamp-black, the ochres, &c., maybe employed. A little acetate of leadgives a fine opaque yellow moss. Fine sand, pounded glass, barytes, maybe also used for giving heaviness and hardness to the durogel.Variegated masses may be created by mixing layers of the thinner sheetsin different colors, or lumps of different colors may be cementedtogether, Of course caution must be observed in mixing colors, that nonebe employed that in their chemical character would affect the bichromateof potash. When the duroge l is in thin sheets any liability to overbrittleness may be obviated by rubbing the surface with glycerine, whichafter a time is absorbed by the mass. To build up thick masses it isbest to layer the sheets and subject the mass to pressure.

The uses "in which this article may be employed are so various that tobe partiolar would be tedious; I would advert to its general employmentas a substitute for ivory, bone, gutta percha, vulcanite, in theformation of buttons, glazing lanterns, handles of knives, or otherarticles of commerce. a

Having described in general terms the nature of my improvement, what Iclaim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination of bichromate of potash with ordinary glue or gelatine,in the manner and for the purposes substantially as described in theforegoing specification.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my,name before twowitnesses.

HENRY WURTZ.

Witnesses:

JOHN F. CLARKE, G. Wunrz.

